More than two weeks since Fariborz Karami died on Nauru, the Australia Border Force (ABF) has made no arrangements to meet his family’s request that his body be buried in Australia.

The Iranian community on Nauru has initiated a petition calling for the ABF to respect the family’s wishes and make immediate arrangements for Fariborz’s body to be brought to Australia. (Copies of some pages are attached).

Over 200 refugees and asylum seekers have signed the petition which is circulating in all of Nauru’s refugee camps including RPC 2, which holds single men, and RPC 3 Family camp where Fariborz lived with his family.

The petition was presented to the Australian Border Force on Sunday 1 July, after the government had ignored calls by Fariborz’s wife for his body to be brought to Australia.

“The complete lack of concern from Border Force for the wishes of the family is causing anguish and distress for the family and the whole community on Nauru,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, “The government has a particular responsibility for Fariborz’s death and the welfare of his family.”

“Bringing Fariborz’s body to Australia is the least that the government can do. Besides just being the decent thing to do, the government has a on-going duty of care of care for the family.

“Even before Fariborz’s death there were concerns for his family’s mental health. That concern has been magnified by the government’s inaction. We need immediate action from the government to bring Fariborz’s family to Australia,” said Rintoul.

Since Fariborz’s death on 15 June, his mother, his 12 year-old brother and his wife have been held in RPC 1, the detention administration compound.